International Women’s Day: From sanitation work to auto driving, women across Odisha script stories of hope

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on Sunday, inspiring stories of determination and self-reliance have emerged from different parts of Odisha, highlighting how women continue to overcome challenges and create new identities for themselves.

Also read: International Women’s Day 2026: History, significance and theme explained

In Balasore, two sanitation workers, Shantilata and Sanjulata, have become symbols of resilience. Working as Swachh Saathis in Ward No. 12 of the municipality, the two women collect waste from households every day to keep the city clean. Despite losing their husbands, they have not given up on life. Through hard work and determination, they support their families and live independently, earning respect from the community for their dedication.

Similarly, in the Steel City of Rourkela, three women—Romila, Manju and Muni—have taken up auto-rickshaw driving to support their families. With their husbands suffering from illness and no other source of income at home, they stepped out of traditional roles to drive autos and earn a livelihood. Romila, a 40-year-old from Bandhamunda, has been driving an auto for the past decade, working from morning till night to support her household and manage her husband’s medical expenses.

Another inspiring example comes from Jeypore in Koraput district, where Samari Gadaba from Kanga panchayat has turned farming into a success story. Through a self-help group, she cultivates vegetables such as pointed gourd, kundru and brinjal, transforming barren land into productive farmland. Her efforts have earned her recognition as a ‘Lakhpati Didi’, and she has even been honoured by the State’s leadership.

These stories reflect the strength, compassion and determination of women who continue to inspire society by turning adversity into opportunity.

Reported By: Satyajit Senapati, Pawan Tiwari, T. Gouri Shankar